Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 979: Establishes the offense of aggravated reckless driving

Establishes the offense of aggravated reckless driving and allows for the seizure and forfeiture of vehicles used in connection with reckless driving or aggravated reckless driving.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new offense with vehicle forfeiture, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for reckless driving.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates new penalties for reckless driving, enhancing road safety regulations within transportation policy.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7257: Redesignates certain sex, prostitution, obscenity and sexual performance offenses committed against a child as class A-I felonies with a sentence of life imprisonment without parole

Redesignates certain sex, prostitution, obscenity and sexual performance offenses committed against a child as class A-I felonies with a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for child sex offenses, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization - directly opposes reform-focused indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 511: Relates to unconsented removal or tampering with a sexually protective device

This bill amends New York's penal law to make it a crime to intentionally remove or tamper with a sexually protective device (like a condom or diaphragm) without consent during agreed-upon sexual activity, or to knowingly use a tampered device. It specifically prohibits three actions: removing protection without consent during sex, using a device known to be tampered with, or lying about using protection when none was used or it was ineffective. The law directly affects individuals engaging in sexual activity where protection was mutually agreed upon but compromised without consent. It defines "sexually protective device" to include common items like condoms, spermicide, and dental dams. The bill would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for non-consensual tampering with protective devices, expanding criminalization. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of increasing criminal law scope.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3227: Authorizes the combination of certain petit larceny charges

Provides that a person who has previously been subjected to two or more petit larceny convictions within 18 months immediately preceding the charge and the aggregate value of the property exceeds one thousand dollars, the person is guilty of grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates petty theft charges to grand larceny for repeat offenders, increasing penalties. This expands criminalization and harshens sentencing, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3133: Relates to masked harassment

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes masked harassment, expanding criminalization of public behavior, opposing reform by increasing offenses against perceived threats.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 111: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential by default. It prohibits public access to these records (used for performance reviews or promotions) without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Judges must review requests for access, require a clear factual showing, and allow affected officers to be heard before granting access. The law explicitly allows prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and courts to access records for official duties without consent.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts public access to officer personnel records without consent, weakening transparency and oversight in law enforcement accountability efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4636: Expands the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree

Expands the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree to include the disclosure of certain private information identifying a police officer for no legitimate purpose.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for disclosing police officers' private info, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for 'oppose' stance.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prevents unauthorized disclosure of police officers' private information, aligning with data privacy protection under Technology topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6398: Creates the offense of operating as a major firearms trafficker

S 6398 creates a new class A-I felony offense for "operating as a major firearms trafficker." It directly affects individuals who unlawfully sell, exchange, give away, or possess 20 or more firearms within a one-year period with intent to sell. The bill establishes two specific triggers: selling 20+ firearms to others in a year, or possessing 20+ firearms with intent to sell. This law increases penalties for large-scale firearms trafficking by classifying it as the highest felony level under the penal law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates class A-I felony for firearms trafficking, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization under sentencing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3247: Relates to criminal possession of a flamethrower

This bill makes possessing a flamethrower a class E felony under New York law. It defines a "flamethrower" as any device projecting burning fuel at least three feet, excluding inoperable displays. The law specifically excludes historical flamethrowers (built before 1966 with at least five significant pre-1966 components), those used for agriculture/construction, and flamethrowers owned before the law takes effect. It does not ban manufacturing or restoring components, only possession of active devices meeting the definition. The law takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies flamethrower possession as felony, expanding criminalization of weapons under NY law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4034: Places kratom on the schedules of controlled substances

This bill would classify kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth) as a Schedule I controlled substance under New York State law, making its possession, sale, and use illegal without a specific license. Schedule I substances are defined as having no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, placing kratom in the same category as drugs like heroin or LSD. The bill amends the public health law to add kratom to Schedule I, requiring state agencies to implement necessary rules within 90 days of the law's effective date. This change would directly affect individuals using kratom for personal purposes, businesses selling kratom products, and law enforcement handling related cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying kratom as Schedule I (illegal without license), aligning with 'oppose' indicators (expands criminalization).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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